FTM 12

FINAT Test Method no. 12

Adhesive coat weight

Scope This test may be used to determine with reasonable accuracy the amount of dry
adhesive material applied to the surface of a pressure sensitive label construction.

Definition Adhesive coat weight is expressed as the weight of dry adhesive on a standard area
of material - in grammes per square metre (g/m2).

Test Equipment 1: A press or template enabling samples to be cut 100 cm2 in area to a high degree
of accuracy.

2. A circulated hot air oven capable of maintaining a temperature of 1OS·C ± 2°C.

3. A balance capable of recording sample weights to an accuracy of at least ± 0.001 g.

4. A beaker of solvent -suitably chosen to enable the adhesive film to be softened

prior to removal.
Recommendations:
a) for an acrylic adhesive - aliphatic solvent (e.g. SBP 2) + trace of aromatic
solvent (e.g. toluene);
b) for a rubberlresin adhesive aliphatic solvent.

Test Specimens Samples of 100 cm2 cut from representative positions in the web.

Test Procedure 1. The specimen is placed in an oven at lOS· for five minutes.

2. It is removed and any release liner is detached.

3. Exactly one minute after removal from the oven, the weight of the specimen is
recorded to at least 3 decimal places.

4. Soak the specimen in the beaker of solvent to soften the adhesive ­

approximately one minute.

S. Remove from the beaker and carefully scrape the adhesive off completely. rinsing
in clean solvent to remove any residue.

6. When all adhesive has been removed. return specimen to oven for further five
minutes.

7. Exactly one minute after removal from the oven reweigh and record new weight
of specimen.

Results Subtract the final weight from the initial weight and multiply this figure by 100 to
express the final result in g/m2. Carry out the test taking five specimens per sample
and record the average coat weight obtained.

Note Particular care should be taken when testing laminates manufactured from speciality
papers or synthetic films (particularly vinyls) since the solvent used to remove the
adhesive may also dissolve components of the face material resulting in significant errors.
Issued October. 1985
Revised March 1999
Revised May 2001

32 FINAT Technical Hanclbook 7th edition, 2005